Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Davenports are a compact writing desk, usually characterized by a slanted writing surface with a hinged lid, side drawers, and a small footprint designed for private correspondence and paperwork. Most examples date from the 19th century, particularly the Regency and Victorian periods in England.

The form is believed to have been commissioned in the late 18th century for a British naval officer named Captain Davenport by the furniture makers Gillows of Lancaster and London, one of the finest English cabinetmaking firms of the era. Over time, the design became widely copied and the name “Davenport” came to describe the desk type itself.

Davenports were important because they reflected changing patterns of domestic life and literacy in the 19th century. As letter writing, bookkeeping, and personal correspondence became central to middle- and upper-class households, furniture makers developed smaller, more specialized desks suited to private interiors rather than grand offices.

Advancing technologies of the period made it possible to slice beautifully-grained woods into paper-thin veneers and you can see that here, in the use of burled walnut.

Despite their architectural elegance and compact size, these are a fairly out-dated mode of furniture and most davenport desks that come to auction sell for prices ranging from $300 to $500 (ones without the pop-up top bring less). Note that this fair market value will be less than the retail value some dealers may prices similar ones they have for sale.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Victorian burled walnut piano-top Davenport desk
unattributed maker, American or English, late 19th Century
Fitted with a divided and pigeon-hole pop-up top centering three short drawers, over a curved surface opening to a writing interior with inset writing surface and two short drawers, raised on shaped cabriole legs, the paneled case with one side fitted with four drawers, all on a molded base.
Overall height (closed): 35 inches; width: 21-1/2 inches; depth: 22 inches CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 300-500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia